What is the best way to use preserving bins for long-term food storage in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Preserving bins are a crucial tool in ARK: Survival Evolved for extending the shelf life of perishable food items, such as meat, berries, and cooked meals. They are especially useful for players who want to store food for long periods without it spoiling quickly. Understanding how to use preserving bins effectively can save you time and resources, especially in the early to mid-game stages before you unlock more advanced storage options like refrigerators.
To begin, you need to craft a preserving bin. The recipe requires 50 wood, 15 fiber, 40 stone, and 10 hide. These materials are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Once crafted, place the preserving bin in a secure location within your base, preferably near your cooking and crafting stations for convenience. The preserving bin works by slowing down the spoilage rate of food items placed inside it. However, to maximize its effectiveness, you need to add sparkpowder or preserving salt to the bin. Sparkpowder is crafted from flint and stone in a mortar and pestle, while preserving salt is obtained from desert biomes or by killing certain creatures like the Mantis.
The preserving bin has two slots: one for food items and one for sparkpowder or preserving salt. Adding sparkpowder or salt to the bin activates its preserving effect, which significantly slows down the spoilage rate of the food inside. For example, raw meat that normally spoils in 10 minutes will last much longer in a preserving bin with sparkpowder. The bin consumes sparkpowder over time, so you need to keep it stocked to maintain the preserving effect. One sparkpowder lasts for about 30 minutes, so plan accordingly based on how much food you need to store.
One important tip is to prioritize storing high-value food items in the preserving bin, such as prime meat or cooked meals, as these spoil faster than regular meat or berries. Additionally, avoid overloading the bin with too many items, as it has limited storage capacity. Instead, use multiple preserving bins if you have a large amount of food to store. This also helps distribute the load and ensures that all your food benefits from the preserving effect.
A common mistake players make is forgetting to refill the preserving bin with sparkpowder or salt. If the bin runs out of these materials, the preserving effect stops, and your food will spoil at the normal rate. To avoid this, set a reminder to check the bin regularly and keep a stockpile of sparkpowder or salt nearby. Another mistake is placing the preserving bin in an exposed or unsafe location. Since preserving bins are relatively fragile, they can be destroyed by hostile creatures or other players in PvP. Always place them inside a secure structure with walls and a roof for protection.
For advanced players, consider combining preserving bins with other storage solutions like refrigerators or tek storage units once you unlock them. Refrigerators offer even better preservation and can be powered by electricity, making them more efficient for long-term storage. However, preserving bins remain useful as a backup or for storing overflow items. In a tribe setting, assign a member to manage the preserving bins and ensure they are always stocked with sparkpowder or salt. This helps maintain a steady food supply for the entire tribe.
In terms of resource management, always gather extra flint and stone to craft sparkpowder in bulk. Flint is abundant in most areas, and stone can be collected by mining rocks. If you are playing on a map with desert biomes, consider farming preserving salt as it is more efficient than sparkpowder and lasts longer. For solo players, preserving bins are especially valuable as they allow you to store food for extended periods without needing to constantly hunt or gather.
A specific scenario where preserving bins shine is during boss preparation or long exploration trips. For example, if you are preparing to fight a boss, you may need to stockpile cooked meat or custom recipes for healing. Using preserving bins ensures that your food stays fresh until you are ready to use it. Similarly, if you are planning a long journey across the map, you can store food in preserving bins at your base and return to replenish your supplies without worrying about spoilage.
In conclusion, preserving bins are a versatile and essential tool for managing food storage in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding their mechanics, maintaining a steady supply of sparkpowder or salt, and placing them in secure locations, you can significantly extend the shelf life of your food. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, preserving bins are a cost-effective solution for long-term food storage, especially in the early to mid-game stages. With proper planning and resource management, you can ensure that your food supply remains fresh and ready for any challenge the game throws at you.
To begin, you need to craft a preserving bin. The recipe requires 50 wood, 15 fiber, 40 stone, and 10 hide. These materials are relatively easy to gather early in the game. Once crafted, place the preserving bin in a secure location within your base, preferably near your cooking and crafting stations for convenience. The preserving bin works by slowing down the spoilage rate of food items placed inside it. However, to maximize its effectiveness, you need to add sparkpowder or preserving salt to the bin. Sparkpowder is crafted from flint and stone in a mortar and pestle, while preserving salt is obtained from desert biomes or by killing certain creatures like the Mantis.
The preserving bin has two slots: one for food items and one for sparkpowder or preserving salt. Adding sparkpowder or salt to the bin activates its preserving effect, which significantly slows down the spoilage rate of the food inside. For example, raw meat that normally spoils in 10 minutes will last much longer in a preserving bin with sparkpowder. The bin consumes sparkpowder over time, so you need to keep it stocked to maintain the preserving effect. One sparkpowder lasts for about 30 minutes, so plan accordingly based on how much food you need to store.
One important tip is to prioritize storing high-value food items in the preserving bin, such as prime meat or cooked meals, as these spoil faster than regular meat or berries. Additionally, avoid overloading the bin with too many items, as it has limited storage capacity. Instead, use multiple preserving bins if you have a large amount of food to store. This also helps distribute the load and ensures that all your food benefits from the preserving effect.
A common mistake players make is forgetting to refill the preserving bin with sparkpowder or salt. If the bin runs out of these materials, the preserving effect stops, and your food will spoil at the normal rate. To avoid this, set a reminder to check the bin regularly and keep a stockpile of sparkpowder or salt nearby. Another mistake is placing the preserving bin in an exposed or unsafe location. Since preserving bins are relatively fragile, they can be destroyed by hostile creatures or other players in PvP. Always place them inside a secure structure with walls and a roof for protection.
For advanced players, consider combining preserving bins with other storage solutions like refrigerators or tek storage units once you unlock them. Refrigerators offer even better preservation and can be powered by electricity, making them more efficient for long-term storage. However, preserving bins remain useful as a backup or for storing overflow items. In a tribe setting, assign a member to manage the preserving bins and ensure they are always stocked with sparkpowder or salt. This helps maintain a steady food supply for the entire tribe.
In terms of resource management, always gather extra flint and stone to craft sparkpowder in bulk. Flint is abundant in most areas, and stone can be collected by mining rocks. If you are playing on a map with desert biomes, consider farming preserving salt as it is more efficient than sparkpowder and lasts longer. For solo players, preserving bins are especially valuable as they allow you to store food for extended periods without needing to constantly hunt or gather.
A specific scenario where preserving bins shine is during boss preparation or long exploration trips. For example, if you are preparing to fight a boss, you may need to stockpile cooked meat or custom recipes for healing. Using preserving bins ensures that your food stays fresh until you are ready to use it. Similarly, if you are planning a long journey across the map, you can store food in preserving bins at your base and return to replenish your supplies without worrying about spoilage.
In conclusion, preserving bins are a versatile and essential tool for managing food storage in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding their mechanics, maintaining a steady supply of sparkpowder or salt, and placing them in secure locations, you can significantly extend the shelf life of your food. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, preserving bins are a cost-effective solution for long-term food storage, especially in the early to mid-game stages. With proper planning and resource management, you can ensure that your food supply remains fresh and ready for any challenge the game throws at you.